Allahabad is the second oldest city in India after Kashi alias Varanasi alias Banares. It is situated in the Utter Pradesh state of India.  3 holy rivers: Ganges, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati confluence here. The meeting point of these three rivers is called Triveni Sangam and is considered very sacred for Hindus. It is believed that bathing at Triveni Sangam absolves one of his or her sins.

The Largest Peaceful Congregation of Pilgrims on Earth, Kumbh Mela,  is held here, once every 12 years.  UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has included Kumbh Mela in its list, in 2017.

Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. Devotees believe that by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from sins liberating her/him from the cycle of birth and death. Millions of people reach the place without any invitation.

More than 120 million people attended the Last Kumbh Mela, held in 2013.

Triveni Sangam at Allahabad

A little bit of History about Allahabad

Allahabad Fort is a 16th-century fort constructed by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is situated close to Triveni Sangamam. Patalpuri Temple is an underground temple inside the Fort. There is a sacred immortal banyan tree inside the fort.

There is a historic 232 B.C. pillar called the Ashoka Pillar, with a height of 10.6 meters. It is made of sandstone. The stone inscriptions show Mughal emperor Jahangir’s accession to the throne. Parts of the fort are open to the public, and the Indian Army uses the remaining parts.

Khusro Bagh is a walled garden containing the mausoleums of Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s family members at Allahabad.

The ancestral home of the Nehrus, Anand Bhavan is at Allahabad. There were 3 Prime Misters of India from the Nehru Family, Namely Jawaharlal Nehru (the first prime mister of India), Indira Gandi (daughter of the first Prime minster and the only Lady Prime Mister of India), and Indira Gandi’s son Rajiv Gandi. There is a museum at Anand Bhavan.

Jawahar Planetarium is another famous Planetarium in India situated in this historic city.

Ashes of Mohandas Gandhi fondly called Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, is immersed at Triveni Sangam.

Ardh Kumbhamela 2019

Ardh Kumbhamela 2019 is held at Allahabad alias Prayag, once every six years.  (Ardh means half.)

The main ritual is taking the holy dip (bath) at Triveni Sangamam. The dates for holy dips were January 14, 15, 21 February 4, 10, 19, and March 4th, 2019. The most important of these dates was 4 February 2019.

Millions of people attend the Ardh Kumbhamela 2019. The state government has banned all marriages in the district on these dates, to avoid the rush.

A word of caution

Kumbhamela or Ardh Kumbhamela is unique in many ways. People rush to get photographed with Saints. There may be crooks who dress like saints and demand cash for taking photos with them. Please ask permission before taking photographs or selfies with any third person.

How Do I Go to Allahabad?

Allahabad or Prayag (original name) is well connected by roads, trains, and flights to other parts of India. Allahabad Junction is the nearest railway station. Bamrauli Airport is the airport in Allahabad.

Conclusion

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